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THE CHICKADEE. 



Chickadee's good cheer is parti}- explained by the fact that he has a 

 very warm coat — he looks like a little muff himself — and by the fact that 

 the sort of food he likes is reasonably plentiful in winter. The bird eats 

 insects at all times of year, but his staple diet is formed by the eggs and larvae 

 of insects. These are found tucked away in the crevices of bark, or grouped 

 on the under surface of the smaller limbs and persistent leaves. On this ac- 

 count the Black-cap must frequently hang head downward, and this he does 

 very gracefully, using his tail to balance himself with, much as a boy does his 



legs in hanging from a "turning pole," swinging to and fro as if he thor- 

 oughly enjoyed it. Once in a while a clinging snow comes and buries the 

 northern half of his hunting-ground. Then is the time to hang out a lump 

 of suet, or to scatter bits of meat — unless your bounties are always claimed 

 by the English sparrow. 



Besides the frequent repetition of its name. Chickadee, the bird has a 

 brusque tse-day, tse-day of uncertain meaning, and a day, day, day. day of 

 discomposure and indignation. The birds of a flock intent on feeding keep 



